Sports
Chelsea Appoint Enzo Maresca As New Manager – Reports
Chelsea have appointed Leicester’s Enzo Maresca as their new head coach, according to British media reports late Thursday.
The Daily Telegraph said the Italian would be joining the Blues on a five-year contract, plus an option of a further year, designed to give the club stability after two years of upheaval under the new regime led by US investors Behdad Eghbali and Todd Boehly.
Maresca, who until last year was Pep Guardiola’s assistant at English champions Manchester City, oversaw an immediate return to the Premier League for Leicester following their relegation 12 months ago.
The 44-year-old Italian’s style of football is also said to have impressed Chelsea chiefs.
London club Chelsea were looking for a new manager after parting company with Mauricio Pochettino.
He spent just one season in charge at Stamford Bridge, with Brentford’s Thomas Frank and Kieran McKenna, who led Ipswich to top-flight promotion behind Leicester, also linked with the vacancy.
Pochettino left after a late surge resulted in Chelsea finishing sixth in the Premier League — qualifying for the Europa Conference League — but missed out on Champions League qualification and a trophy.
Chelsea lost the League Cup final 1-0 to Liverpool after extra-time and pushed Manchester City all the way before losing in the FA Cup semi-finals by the same score.
But there had been signs former Tottenham manager Pochettino’s project was coming together during a run of five consecutive wins to end the campaign that ensured Chelsea will be involved in European competition next season.
Sports
Osimhen fires brace in Galatasaray away win
Victor Osimhen scored twice as Galatasaray thrashed Kayserispor 5-1 in their Turkish Super Lig clash on Sunday.
Osimhen gave Okan Buruk’s side the lead from the penalty spot in the fourth minute.
The 25-year-old netted his side’s fourth goal of the day 19 minutes from time.
The powerful striker has now scored 12 goals and provided five assists across all competitions for the Yellow and Reds this season.
Baris Yilmaz (brace) and Yunus Akgun were the other goal scorers for Galatasaray in the game.
Galatasaray remain top of the standings with 44 points from 16 games.
Sports
Liverpool thrash Tottenham in nine-goal thriller
Liverpool swept four points clear at the top of the Premier League as Mohamed Salah’s masterclass inspired a memorable 6-3 rout of Tottenham on Sunday.
Salah delivered a sublime performance featuring two goals and a pair of assists as Arne Slot’s side ran riot in north London.
Liverpool took advantage of second-placed Chelsea’s 0-0 draw at Everton earlier in the day to cement their status as title favourites heading into the Christmas period.
Sports
Bournemouth humble Man United 3-0 at Old Trafford
Manchester United crashed to a humiliating 3-0 home defeat to Bournemouth on Sunday as Ruben Amorim lost for the fourth time in his nine games in charge of the troubled Old Trafford club.
United boss Ruben Amorim, who once again left Marcus Rashford out of his squad, is set for a miserable Christmas following the worst result of his brief reign.
Languishing in 13th place, United have suffered four defeats in nine matches in all competitions since Amorim arrived from Sporting Lisbon in November to replace the sacked Erik ten Hag.
United’s second successive loss after their League Cup exit at Tottenham on Thursday underlined Amorim’s belief that their road back to the top will be long and arduous.
United, who have conceded first in their last six games, were booed off at half-time, while the final whistle was greeted by more jeers from the few fans who stayed until the bitter end.
While it is far too early to pass judge on Amorim, the Portuguese coach cannot afford many more results like this if he is to keep the players and fans on his side.
Amorim’s decision to play without Rashford for the third consecutive game will face fresh scrutiny after United’s wretched performance.
Amorim surprisingly omitted the 27-year-old England forward from the squad for United’s win at Manchester City last weekend, prompting Rashford to hint he was willing to leave the club for a “new challenge”.
Rashford was at Old Trafford wearing a United tracksuit amid his extended exile as Amorim made six changes from the line-up beaten 4-3 by Tottenham in the League Cup quarter-finals.
Again, United were exposed at set-pieces in the 29th minute when Bournemouth’s teenage defender Dean Huijsen punished poor marking at a free-kick to glance a header past Andre Onana.
There was even worse to come for Amorim in the second half as Justin Kluivert doubled fifth-placed Bournemouth’s advantage with a 61st minute penalty following Noussair Mazraoui’s foul on the forward.
Antoine Semenyo compounded United’s misery two minutes later with a cool finish from Dango Ouattara’s pass.
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